3-Time Mayor of Colts Neck, Thomas McClintock, Dies

Colts Neck, NJ - Thomas McClintock, who served as mayor three times during the 32 years he lived in Colts Neck, died this week, his family announced. He was 90.

A Naval veteran and Merck & Company executive, Tom was proudest of his civic leadership in Monmouth County. Not only was a three-term mayor of Colts Neck, but he also served as mayor of Long Branch. Both were volunteer positions. In fact, Tom is believed to be the only person to have served as mayor of two different municipalities in Monmouth County, albeit 12 years apart.

Personal and professional life

Born in Long Branch in 1926, Tom graduated from Long Branch High School in 1944. He was accepted into the U.S. Navy, where after four years of service, he received an Honorable Discharge with rank of Lieutenant.

He graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Class of 1947. Tom later returned to RPI for graduate studies and earned a Masters of Chemical Engineering in 1950.

After finishing with his Masters degree, Tom went to work for Merck and Co. as a production supervisor in Merck's pioneering synthesis of Cortisone. Throughout his time with Merck and Co. he served in many different management positions before retiring in 1990 as Executive Director of Marketing, US Operations.

Contributions to Colts Neck and Monmouth County

While serving as an elected Councilman and Mayor of Long Branch (1961), Tom was appointed to lead the County Park-Recreation Committee, which provided leadership in later successful efforts to establish Sandy Hook as a National Park.

Tom and his wife, Judith McClintock, settled their family in Colts Neck, where Tom served on the Board of Adjustment, the Planning Board, and was an elected member of the Township Committee and a three-term Mayor of Colts Neck. While mayor of Colts Neck, Tom was instrumental in building the town library.

He also served as a Board member and President of the Monmouth Museum, Executive Committee of Monmouth Conservation Foundation and President of the Colts Neck Library Foundation. A major donation from Tom inspired a community-wide fund raising effort that provided for a new million-dollar library structure, which was turned over free and clear to the people of Colts Neck in 2000.

His philanthropic efforts further included establishment of the McClintock Scholarship Trust at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Conductor’s Level contributions to the Colorado Symphony Orchestra.

A beloved husband & father, he is survived by his wife of 54 years, his daughter Meredith, son Tom, and their families. Condolences may be offered at Olinger Crown Hill Cemetery, www.crownhillfuneral.com, 303-233-4611.